Food and DrinkLifestyle
Top Tips for Hosting a Home happy hour Event
Not content with watching all your friends travel the globe on Facebook? Then why not hold a happy hour event of your own. It might sound daunting, but it’s actually incredibly easy to get started. By following these top tips you’ll be hosting your own home happy hours in no time at all.
- Designate someone to be the host of the event who will coordinate all aspects of food and beverage as well as answer questions about house rules or refund policies.
- If you’re planning a party, make sure to ask your guests to only bring beer or wine. Don’t put them in the awkward situation of having to choose!
- Invite people with common interests such as those in your circle of friends, co-workers, etc. Let them know why you invited them and what activity you’d like them to participate in (e.g., playing board games).
4 . Create a seating plan and assign numbers so no one can reserve seats before people arrive and eat/drink the snacks assigned to their number(s) during the event.
- Make sure everyone knows where the bathroom is located, what food and drink are provided, and house rules (e.g., no shoes on the couch). Provide hand sanitizer next to the sink in case they need it after washing their hands.
- Rent a karaoke machine or DVD player for entertainment if you don’t have other forms of entertainment available. Set up extra chairs in case guests want to watch instead of sing.
- Ask each guest to bring $5 so you can compensate your friend who owns the home for his/her time/effort rather than buying alcoholic beverages. However, this tip only applies if s/he charges rent for party attendees. Otherwise, purchase alcoholic beverages at a grocery store or liquor store and charge the attendees whatever you think is fair.
8 . Have a tip jar for your friend to use after the event. However, if everyone tips your friend well during the event, this tip jar will not be necessary.
- Wrap up the event at a specific time so people don’t stay too long and consume all remaining food and drinks.
- Collect any leftover food/beverages to take home if you plan on eating them later that night or the next day, or ask your friend to freeze them for you so you can enjoy them later in the week.
- Thank each guest personally when they leave for coming to your party, sharing their company with you, helping keep the noise level down while others are sleeping, etc., especially if s/he made an extra effort to come to your party (e.g., travel far).
- This simple gesture will go a long way toward making people feel appreciated because most guests do not expect it.
- Put leftovers into the refrigerator and wash dirty dishes or leave them in the sink for your friend to take care of when they get home if you don’t want to bother bringing them in yourself.
- Take your leftover alcohol with you in a plastic bag in case it leaks in your car (contains spills).
- Call/text/email each guest after the event thanking them again for coming, telling each person how much you enjoyed having him/her there, asking if s/he needs help with transportation costs, etc., especially people who drove at least two hours away just to see you. This will strengthen ties between all attendees by leading to social reciprocity.